Paula’s Bio

Paula Fletcher was elected as City Councillor for Ward 30, Toronto-Danforth in 2003.

Paula has supported significant developments in Ward 30 including FILMPORT, Canada’s largest purpose-built sound stage and film production space, and the Zhong Hua Men Archway, the only traditional Chinese archway to be built in Toronto. More recently, Paula has worked with community groups to oppose the conversion of the studio district into large format retail.

Paula rallied Toronto City Council to oppose the Portlands Energy Centre, a 550 megawatt, $700 million power plant. While the provincial government elected to put this power plant on Toronto’s waterfront, she managed to get a $400,000 community contribution from the project to start residential solar thermal water heating conversions in Ward 30. As well, the focus of an alterative energy plan developed by Fletcher and others became the basis for the City of Toronto’s Green Energy Plan.

Paula was re-elected in 2006 and currently serves as the Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee. In that capacity, she spearheaded the City of Toronto’s Climate Change, Clean Air and Sustainable Energy Action Plan and Climate Change Adaptation Strategy as well the People, Dogs and Parks – Off-Leash Areas and Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy. The committee is currently developing an urban agriculture strategy for the city.

Paula is a member of Mayor Miller’s Executive Committee. She also serves on the Boards of Toronto Public Health, the Toronto Film Board, Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) and the Toronto Atmospheric Fund, and co-chairs the Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee. She is a member of the Sustainability Committee of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Prior to being a city councillor, Paula was elected to public office in 2000 as a public school trustee of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in 2000.  During her time on the Board, Paula worked to establish the Bruce Woodgreen Early Years Centre at Bruce Public School, an internationally recognized integrated child care and kindergarten program. She was a strong advocate for school pools, community use of schools, alternative education and a well-funded school system.